Graduate Admissions


Applying for graduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music requires five basic steps:


Further details on these steps, as well as additional information related to admission requirements, fees, deadlines and special area requirements (major-specific information) can be found below. Questions can be directed to Graduate Coordinator Ann Bradfield (ann.bradfield@uni.edu).

sheet music

Application Deadlines

For fall admission, all application materials/paperwork [i.e. steps 1, 2, 3 and 5 above] must be submitted online or sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions, and these materials must be received prior to February 1. Auditions and interviews must be completed by February 15 for the following school year. For spring admission, all materials must be received and auditions/interviews completed by November 15 for the following spring.

How to Apply - Step by Step


Step one:
FILL OUT University Graduate College Application
 

In addition to the School of Music application, the university requires the submission of an Application for Graduate Study (for domestic students) or an International Application for Admission (for international students).

Applications are available from the university or online at http://uni.edu/admissions/apply (domestic and international). Paper copies may also be requested. Applications should be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office (domestic) or Office of Admissions (international) at the address below.
 

‌Grad College Application Process


Step two:
Submit the following documentation directly to the Office of Admissions


Official Transcripts
Official transcripts, sent directly to admissions by the issuing institution (unofficial transcripts or transcripts mailed directly by the student are not acceptable). Electronic transcripts may be requested; contact the admissions office for information

International Students
TOEFL or IELTS score, sent directly from testing agency to Admissions Office

International students (from non-English speaking countries) are required to submit proof of a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (written), 213 (computer) or 79 (Internet). Scores should be sent directly to Office of Admissions at the address below.

Application Fees
(see UNI Graduate Application for detailed information)

 


Where do I send my materials?

Option 1: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION (preferred)
Most things can be attached to your main application. Anything else can be emailed to admissionsprocessing@uni.edu

Option 2: To submit paper applications and hard copies of materials, mail to:

UNI ADMISSIONS
002 Gilchrist Hall
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0018

Please note: The Graduate Record Examination (general test) is NOT required for admission to the MA or the MM degree programs.

 


Step three:

FILL OUT School of Music Application Form
 

‌Complete the Online Application

To request an application packet by U.S. mail, please contact:

Graduate Studies - School of Music
Russell Hall 115
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0246
319-273-GRAD (4723)
music@uni.edu


Step four:

Special Area Requirements – arrange and/or submit your audition, interview, and/or portfolio

Please refer to the specific instructions for your area of application under "SPECIAL AREA REQUIREMENTS" at the bottom of this page.

View Special Area Requirements

 


Step five:

Graduate Assistantship and Scholarship Applications

If you wish to apply for GA and/or scholarship support, please fill out and submit the GA and scholarship applications – follow the instructions on the forms.

‌Application for GA & Position Descriptions

‌Application Form for Graduate College Tuition Scholarship

Special Area Requirements

Master of Arts

In-person interview/audition in area of concentration (audio recordings are permissible if an in-person audition would pose undue hardship), or submission of scores or writing samples if you wish to focus on composition, theory or music history. See Master of Music - Performance for area listings for applied study.

Master of Music - Composition

Interview and portfolio with recordings of compositions.

Contact Dr. Daniel Swilley for specific requirements: daniel.swilley@uni.edu

Master of Music - Conducting

In-person audition and interview with at least two members of the Graduate Conducting Faculty. It is also recommended that the applicant have two years of conducting experience beyond the baccalaureate degree. A video/DVD recording may be submitted in lieu of the in-person audition, but may not satisfy the audition requirement.

Tapes/DVD's should be of high quality and show the applicant in rehearsal situations, though performance recordings may also be included. Video recordings should include two (2) or three (3) works of varying styles, and be taken so as to clearly indicate the conductor's facial and other physical gestures. Contact Dr. Danny Galyen for additional information: danny.galyen@uni.edu.

Master of Music - Jazz Pedagogy

In-person audition and interview. Also, applicants must submit an essay of interest (no more than 2 pages) outlining experiences in jazz performance, composition, arranging and/or teaching, as well as stating professional goals in any or all of these areas.

Contact Chris Merz for additional information: chris.merz@uni.edu.

Master of Music - Music Education

Submit online evaluation or contact Kevin Droe (kevin.droe@uni.edu) to schedule an interview. 

For information on the distance learning program in music education offered entirely online via Adobe Connect, please visit: https://online.uni.edu/distance/music-ed.

Please note: the distance learning program is offered cooperatively with the Continuing Education program and is NOT eligible for Graduate College scholarship or assistantship support, but returning UNI students ARE eligible for the PACE scholarship. On-campus students in the Music Education master’s program ARE eligible for scholarship/assistantship.

Master of Music - Music History

Interview and writing samples consisting of scholarly paper(s) from undergraduate studies coursework. Contact Dr. Alison Altstatt if you need additional information: alison.altstatt@uni.edu.

Master of Music - Performance

In-person audition (audio recordings are permissible if an in-person audition would pose undue hardship). If you are sending a recording, a DVD or video files are the preferred media for submission. You may send DVDs directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you are submitting a video file, please email the file directly to music@uni.edu

Audition Requirements & Contacts